Background Payouts Guide

Created: 29 March 2026, 19:55:44 UTC
Last updated: 10 May 2026, 10:15:57 UTC

Background Guide

Here is a guide for if a prompt requires a background or you want to add a background to your entry. 

 

Background payouts are only an addition to the normal prompt payout if the prompt doesn't already require a background OR you are doing a higher-tier background. All background required prompts will require TIER 1.  If you do TIER 2 or 3, you will get an additional payout based on the event, which requires all background tiers to be hand-drawn and not photography/image input into the art.

Star Monarch Festival will pay out in Comet Shards 

Void Event will pay out in Fire Power 

Normal Prompts will pay out in Silver Salmon 

Some prompts will only ever give silver salmon.  Those would be prompts that we have monthly such as:

  • Meme
  • Gift Giving and Spotlight
  • Seasonal
  • Soul Guiding Journey *Extra Payout on Tier 2 and 3 Only
  • Light In The Night Sea *Extra Payout on Tier 2 and 3 Only
  • Meet the Stelciar/Phosray

If the prompt gives no reward at all then it also won't give extra for background.

In your prompt submission form, please specify which Background Tier you completed. If your work does not meet the requirements, it will be sent back for revision.
If no tier is specified, staff will assume the highest applicable tier based on your work.
Once your submission has been approved, you will not be able to change your tier reward.

Tier 1 - Simple Background

  • Normal Background Requirement For Background Prompts
  • 3 Distinct Elements needed (EX: Tree + Cloud + Ground)
  • Low Resolution Details on Elements 
Payout Prices Only on prompts where background is not required
  • 1 Comet Shard
  • 1 Fire Power
  • 1 Silver Salmon
 
 

Tier 2 - Midway Background

  • 5 Distinct Elements (EX: Tree + Clouds + Ground + Mountains + Foreground Bushes/Grass)
  • Shading can help bring a background to Tier 2

 

Payout Prices
  • 5 Comet Shards
  • 5 Fire Power
  • 5 Silver Salmon
 

 

 

 

Tier 3 - Advanced Background

  • Atleast 10 Distinct Elements or Detailing - This one will be judged case by case.  Think of a painting with shadows and lighting.  Blades of grass are able to be seen in many places.  Flowers and foreground elements.  

 

Payout Prices

 

  • 15 Comet Shards
  • 15 Fire Power
  • 15 Silver Salmon
 
 

What does not count as Elements

Stamp brushes and assets do not count as elements. You may use them, but you must also hand-draw the required elements to qualify for that tier’s reward.

If you use stamp brushes without drawing the required elements yourself, your work will be counted as Background Tier 1.

Copy-pasted particles are allowed, but only one instance will be counted.